The other day a client asked, “What’s a lede?” Good question. I’d used the word in a presentation document by force of habit, forgetting that it was newspaper jargon. Basically, lede is an alternate spelling of lead (so spelled to avoid confusion with the metal lead, which can happen because it’s used as a noun) and it refers to the opening line or paragraph of a news story. But it’s a lot more than that. [...]
READ MORE »When Reporters Call: Do’s and Don’ts
When reporters call, it’s a great chance for you to build name recognition and positive branding for your firm. To make the most of the opportunity, follow these tips to create strong relationships with reporters and generate valuable media impressions: DO: Respond quickly. Call back within an hour if possible, and definitely within the same day. Reporters are usually working against a deadline, and it may be tight. If you call back too late, you’ll [...]
READ MORE »When Tragedy Strikes, Think People First, PR Later
Learning of the Boston bombings last week, I, like many others, turned my thoughts to those affected. While questions would need to be answered, my first thoughts were for the victims, and my thoughts continue to be with the people of Boston. But amid the unfolding calamity, I also faced a professional dilemma: how to advise clients who were being approached by media outlets to comment on various policy aspects of the bombing. In the [...]
READ MORE »I Won! Wait … What Is This?
It’s pretty easy to recognize the 419 email scam, so called for the section of Nigerian criminal code related to fraud. An unsolicited email arrives from someone claiming to be a deported prince, a government employee, even a U.S. soldier who found Saddam Hussein’s gold. After an improbable sob story, the scammers promise millions of dollars in exchange for an advance-fee wire transfer. Um, no thanks. While not as blatantly obvious, some award recognitions in [...]
READ MORE »The Harvard Business Review Channels My Mother
When I received a link to the much-shared HBR article on handwritten notes, I was a little surprised the iconic business publication would tackle this subject. But then I remembered my mother’s admonition, unfortunately too often ignored, to always write thank you notes. I also recalled the regular handwritten notes and cards that the adults in my childhood sent as a matter of course. Well, John Coleman, who wrote the HBR piece, is on to [...]
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